International
Following the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), many UN agencies, nations, and non-governmental organizations have been aggressively pursuing sustainable development objectives. You can learn more about international activities and the contribution of EPA and other U.S. programs from many online resources.
American Association for the Advancement of Science: The AAAS Forum: Science and Innovation for Sustainable Development facilitates information exchange and discussion among the growing and diverse group of individuals, institutions, and networks engaged in the field of science and technology for sustainability.
- The WSSD gave rise to the launching of hundreds of Partnerships for Sustainable Development among governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address a broad range of sustainability issues. The number of partnerships is continuing to grow, with many including U.S. federal, state and local with NGOs.
- The UN Commission on Sustainable Development is charged with monitoring the implementation of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. The 15th session for the CSD, scheduled for New York between 30 April and 11 May 2007, will begin the second year of focus on energy related topics: Energy for Sustainable Development; Industrial Development, Air pollution/ Atmosphere, and Climate Change.
- Achieving sustainability is also a key element of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The United National Development Program (UNDP) is tracking progress on achieving MDG 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability.
OECD and G-8 Nations:
- Significant cooperation in science and technology and agreements within the OECD and the G8 group of industrial nations are supporting sustainable development. Science and Technology for Sustainable Development: A G8 Action Plan (2003) focuses on three areas: coordination of global observation systems through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS); cleaner, more efficient and sustainable energy use; and agricultural sustainability, productivity and biodiversity conservation.
- Following commitments made at the G8's 2004 summit, Japan hosted a Ministerial Conference focused on actions to recycle, recover and reduce industrial material (the "3 Rs") .
European Union and Member Countries:
- The EU 7th Research Framework Programme (2007-2013) supports basic research in several areas related to sustainable development. Areas of sustainability research include health care, production and management of biological resources, production and consumption patterns, transport and energy systems and greenhouse gas reductions, and technology development and verification.
- United Kingdom
- German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
- France
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
Canada:
International activities and agreements related to sustainable development are reported by the U.S. Department of State's the Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs.
EPA's Office of International Affairs leads EPA efforts to address global environmental issues. OIA often making regional EPA initiatives more effective by connecting them to projects of other nations with shared interests.